No election needed in Elkford

There will be no municipal election in Elkford this month – every candidate will get the job.

On October 24, the council in Elkford will be officially declared, and every member will have been elected by acclamation, since there were only as many candidates as there were places on council.

Leanne Jensen, Elections Officer for the Elk Valley, said she has never known an entire council to be elected this way.

“In Canada, someone is said to be elected or returned by acclamation when no other candidate has come forward at an election and no vote is held,” she said.

“I have been working in the East Kootenays since 1995 and this is the first time I have heard of this happening.”

She would not comment on why there were not more candidates in Elkford.

The Regional District of East Kootenay Area B Director will also be elected in by acclamation. Heath Slee will be sworn in as the Electoral Area B Director at the Board’s inaugural meeting on December 9.